The ONLY Mercedes-AMG Black Collection To Characteristic A V12

In terms of unique high-performance Mercedes and AMG icons of the fashionable period, you’ll probably flock in direction of the apparent names: The McLaren-Mercedes, SLS AMG, AMG GT Black Collection, or perhaps, in uncommon cases, should you’re feeling notably daring, a CLK GTR. However there’s an equally compelling and infrequently neglected choice from the German automaker’s catalog that’s simply as uncommon, and even rarer than the above-stated fashions. Whereas it doesn’t have butterfly doorways or flaunt hypercar styling, what it has in spades is character. 

Welcome, everybody, to the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Collection, one of many purest street-legal observe toys ever created by the oldsters over at Affalterbach. The common-or-garden R230 SL might function the bottom, however that is no bizarre SL. Former TopGear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, who famously reviewed it again in ‘09, known as it ‘mind-boggling’ and he’s not improper. 

With massive energy courtesy of its 12-cylinder turbocharged powerplant and a silhouette that appears prefer it simply stepped out of cyberpunk, right here was an SL that had been extensively reworked by AMG. 350 examples have been made, however solely 175 items made it to U.S. shores, making it rarer than 1 / 4 of the worldwide McLaren SLR manufacturing run and practically 10 occasions rarer in the USA. In the event you’re the type of collector chasing low-volume, high-drama machines, right here’s why this V12 monster is value contemplating. 

AMG’s Final Road Weapon

At first look, the SL65 Black Collection might appear like one thing cooked up in a digital idea, however there was technique to the insanity. The usual R230 was by no means what you’d name featherweight. The SL, in spite of everything, was a grand tourer, and luxury took priority. So when AMG got down to create the last word observe toy, they’d their work lower out. 

The SL’s retractable laborious prime made method for a set carbon-fiber roof. Your entire physique was widened and sculpted utilizing carbon-fiber bolstered plastic (CFRP), and this shaved over 550 kilos in comparison with the bottom SL65. This introduced the burden all the way down to 4,122 kilos, which remains to be quite hefty, however satisfactory when paired with a customized AMG-tuned suspension, a stiffened chassis, optionally available carbon ceramic brakes, and most crucially, that hand-built V12 powerplant. Thoughts you, whereas issues do look civilised within the cabin, and the carbon seats and stiff journey pays dividends on observe, the SL Black’s harsh journey has an influence on its on-road usability. One thing to remember.

As for that engine, we’re speaking a couple of 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 from the usual SL65 AMG, besides that for this explicit utility, AMG’s engineers bolstered the internals, tweaked the turbos, upgraded the intercoolers, and recalibrated the ECU. The consequence? 661 horsepower, which isn’t that massive a quantity by trendy requirements, however for ‘09, these have been spectacular. That’s extra energy than a Ferrari Enzo. 

Torque although was fairly substantial at 738 pound-feet. Actually, AMG needed to electronically restrict the torque to make it work with the five-speed computerized transmssison, which despatched energy solely to the rear wheels. 0-60 mph occurs in 3.8 seconds and the highest pace is electronically restricted to 199 mph, and with out the restricted, you’re taking a look at 210 mph. 

These extra-wide fender flares are a practical ingredient aiding in high-speed stability, housing a staggered setup with 265/35ZR19 upfront and 325/30ZR20 on the rear, which labored with the lively wing that deploys at 75 mph to place all that energy down.  On the Nürburging Nordschelife, it clocked a lap time of seven:51 minutes, which places it in the identical league because the Ferrari 599 GTB (7:47 minutes) and the Porsche 997 GT3 RS (7:48 seconds) from the identical period. 

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Collection Specs

A V12 Rarity In A World Dominated By V8s

We might solely have a handful of brand-new V12-powered fashions right this moment, however even again in ‘09, it was an endangered species. AMG’s focus had already begun to shift in direction of the now legendary 6.2-liter V8, which made its method into all the things from the C63 and E63 to the gullwing SLS. Whereas the Black Collection line was in regards to the aforementioned ‘brute drive’, all of them featured V8s. The SL65 Black Collection is the one AMG Black Collection to ever characteristic A V12, and that issues, as a result of when you understand that this was AMG’s first, final, and solely try at a V12 Black Collection, its case for collectibility will get loads clearer. 

Values and Funding Outlook

When it hit the showroom ground in 2009, a $300,000 sticker worth was quite steep for a beefed up SL for an economic system nonetheless steeped in recession. Having mentioned that, it was nonetheless lesser than the SLR McLaren’s $450,000 from the mid-2000s and Mercedes managed to nonetheless promote each single considered one of them. 

Common costs have hovered round $250,000 to $300,000 on the secondary marketplace for some time, however have steadily elevated since 2022, with most transactions taking place within the $350k vary, which remains to be lower than the SLR. A pristine U.S.-spec instance with low miles may simply command much more, particularly whether it is in he uncommon Mars Purple colour. Different manufacturing facility shades embrace Obsidian Black, Iridum Silver, and Designo Mystic White. Right here’s a white instance with 6,123 miles, at the moment listed on duPont REGISTRY for $399,900.

What to Search for Earlier than Shopping for An SL65 AMG Black Collection

In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to seek out an SL65 Black Collection, as with all car, documentation and originality might be essential. Most of those vehicles have been delivered to collectors, so ultra-low-mileage examples do exist. It’s a must to be particularly cautious about modified vehicles, or ones which have had their exhaust or ECUs tinkered with. Torque-converter put on was a recognized difficulty on these vehicles, so search for transmission service data. Manufacturing facility-original examples with AMG build-sheets and detailed upkeep data will command a premium.

If You Just like the SL65 Black Collection, Take into account These V12 Alternate options

Ferrari 599 GTO

• Manufacturing Years: 2010–2012
• Manufacturing Numbers: 599 items
• Common Market Worth (Previous 5 Years): $743,651

Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV

• Manufacturing Years: 2009–2010
• Manufacturing Numbers: 186 items
• Common Market Worth (Previous 5 Years): $640,091

Aston Martin V12 Vantage (First Gen)

• Manufacturing Years: 2009–2013
• Manufacturing Numbers: ~1,200 items (excluding particular editions)
• Common Market Worth (Previous 5 Years): $163,000

Why The SL65 AMG Black Collection Is A Extremely Underrated Future Basic in Plain Sight

Whereas the SLS Black Collection and trendy AMG GT Black Collection coninue to garner a number of consideration within the collector neighborhood, the SL65 Black Collection stays the underdog unicorn of AMG’s golden period. Too heavy, too costly, too insane for its time; this can be a automotive that shouldn’t have existed and right here we’re 15 years later, appreciating its analog enchantment. 

Because the final V12 Black Collection, the SL65 additionally marked the top of the period. No track-mode trickery, no hybrid aids, simply old-school fire-breather drive feeding thrust to 2 rear tires. In right this moment’s age of DCT this and AWD that, the SL65 Black Collection could seem hilaroulsy outdated, however thats the entire level. It is a automotive that every one about brute drive and nothing else and that’s what makes it a extremely fascinating collector automotive.

Supply: Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Basic.com

FAQ

1. What number of SL65 Black Collection have been constructed?
A. Mercedes AMG constructed 350 items of the SL65 AMG Black Collection, with 175 items coming to the USA.

2. What makes the SL65 Black Collection so particular?
A. The SL65 AMG is the one V12-powered AMG Black Collection ever made, making it considerably rarer than an SLR McLaren or SLS Black Collection.

3. Is the SL65 AMG Black Collection a very good funding?
A. Sure. Being a restricted run mannequin with restricted availability and the V12 engine, the SL65 AMG stays undervalued with costs nonetheless hovering round $350k, making it extraordinarily collectible 

4. Are there any options to the SL65 Black Collection?
A. Whereas the SLR McLaren and SLS Black Collection are robust AMG investments, none throughout the Mercedes secure match the rarity and V12 drama of the SL65 Black Collection. In the event you’re after a V12 from this period, your finest choices are a 599 GTB or a

5. What colours have been accessible on the SL65 AMG Black Collection?
A. The SL65 AMG Black Collection was provided in restricted manufacturing facility colour choices, together with Obsidian Black, Designo Mystic White, and Iridium Silver, with Mars Purple being the rarest.